The Minneapolis-based Lerner Publishing Group has announced the interim appointments of Andrew Karre and Carol Hinz to head Graphic Universe, the publisher’s graphic novel publishing arm. Karre and Hinz are replacing Carol Burrell, the former head of Graphic Universe, who left Lerner to take a senior editorial position at Abrams ComicArts. Karre is the editorial director of LPG’s Darby Creek and Carolrhoda Books, while Hinz is the director of Lerner’s Millbrook Press. Lerner plans to hire a permanent editorial director for Graphic Universe by this spring.

Lerner is also closing the New York City offices of Graphic Universe and relocating the imprint’s editorial activity at the company’s home office in Minneapolis. Launched in 2007 with 16 titles, Graphic Universe has long focused on the school and library markets, where its historical titles have benefited from greater acceptance of the graphic novel format in schools and libraries. Graphics Universe has also been expanding its reach with several new graphic novel series including Trina Robbins’ Chicagoland Detective Agency and the well-received biographical memoir, Little White Duck: A Childhood in China by Na Liu.